How to Get a Copy of Past W2s for Free

You may need copies of some of your past W-2s (“Wage and Tax Statement”) to verify your income for numerous reasons, such as qualifying for a mortgage, applying for a loan or requesting student financial aid. If you can’t find some of your past W-2s attached to the tax returns in your files, you can get free copies without having to pay for them. You may have to perform an online search, or you may find the answer just around the corner at your place of employment or in your tax preparer’s office.

Regardless of whether you still work for the employer who issued your W-2, you can contact the company (if it’s still in business) and ask for a duplicate copy. Although employers are required to keep W-2s for only four years, you may not need a W-2 that’s older than that. And even if you do, your employer may have kept them. It’s worth a phone call to see if your employer has what you need, and if they will provide a copy at no charge.

Note: Some companies set up portals for their employees to be able to access and print important documents, such as paystubs and W2s. If you don't already have an account set up, you'll need to create one. The company's payroll department can help you with that.

​Read More:​ I Have Not Gotten All My W2 Forms: What Can I Do?

If you paid a tax preparer to file your tax return, that’s another easy phone call away to see if they’ll give you a copy of a past W-2 for free. If you just need a copy of your W-2 and not a copy of your complete tax return, be sure to communicate this to your tax preparer. Although they may charge you for a copy of your entire tax return, they may not charge just for a copy of your W-2, because the copying and paper cost is minimal.

​Read More:​ Tax Preparer vs. CPA

To get an actual photocopy of a prior W-2 from the IRS, you’ll have had to submit a paper tax return. Photocopy requests also require a ​$43​ fee for processing, which is waived if you're a victim of a federally declared disaster.

If you filed your tax return electronically, you can get a free transcript of your W-2. Although a transcript is not a photocopy, it includes all the information that was on your original W-2 form. You can get a transcript up to ​10 years​ after you filed a tax return.

Visit IRS.gov and search for “Get Transcript Online.” If you want to view and download your W-2 using this feature, you’ll have to go through an online registration and verification process. If you are unable to register, or if you don’t want to register online, download IRS Form 4506-T, "Request for Transcript of Tax Return," and mail your transcript request, or call the IRS at ​800-908-9946​. You’ll receive your transcript within 10 days after the IRS receives your request.

​Read More:​ How to Obtain a Copy of an IRS Tax Bill

If the reason you need a past-year W-2 form is because of a Social Security issue, the SSA will provide a copy of your W-2 at no charge. All other requests carry a fee of ​$90​. Visit SSA.gov and search for “get W-2” or call your local SSA office to request your copy.